articles from August, 2000 newsletter:
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President's Message
Your Board of Directors and member volunteers have maintained a busy schedule this summer.
Thanks again to our many volunteers who make the projects of the Club possible. Please
call one of your Directors if you are available to help.
Several members are watching over the navigational lights. They are observed daily to
be certain that each light is in place and working. Batteries are replaced throughout
the summer. We all appreciate the increase in safety while traveling the lake after dark.
The loon count was completed July 19. This is our 17th year of taking the count.
We will receive a full report during the Annual Meeting which will be held August 11.
Several volunteers again helped Mardy Jackson.
Many members and others are enjoying the current picnic sites. The final details
are being worked out for another site in Big Bay. We hope to have an announcement
at the annual meeting.
Water samples have been collected during May, June and July. The nitrate and phosphate
study sites are in place. This year we are also collecting samples for Sea Grant to
look for Zebra Mussels. Several Wisconsin lakes have already been infected.
This year's scholarship recipient was Allison Burgess who graduated from Tower High
School this past June.
Last fall the Board of Directors formally applied for a Lake Assessment Program.
We have continued discussions throughout the winter and this summer. The Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and The Sportsmen's Club are co-hosting an initial
meeting August 7th at 7:00 PM at the Greenwood Town Hall. The purpose of the
meeting is twofold: 1) to discuss the current and historical water quality work
conducted in the Lake Vermilion watershed, and 2) to discuss the prospect of a
comprehensive lake assessment and watershed plan for Lake Vermilion. Both organizations
recognize that because of the size and complexity of the Lake, an accurate lake
assessment will require the resources of numerous agencies and organizations.
Several participants will be in attendance to give a report on their current
and projected projects. Members of the Club are invited to attend.
Please look at our Web Site at: lakevermilion.com/ SCLV. You will be pleased
and informed. Also you may enjoy meeting other Lake Vermilion enthusiasts at:
www.egroups.com/group/vermilion. Many of those members are also members of The
Sportsmen's Club and actively support our organization. We appreciate all of
the publicity and support received throughout the year.
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32nd Annual Meeting
of Sportsmen's Club is Friday, August 11 at Fortune Bay Resort
Our 32nd Annual Meeting and dinner is set for Friday, August 11, at Fortune Bay Resort.
This is the fourth year we have had the dinner meeting at Fortune Bay, and if you
were among last year's 200 attendees, you'll recall that the food was excellent,
the room was comfortable and we had a great time. As in past years, the meeting
will be held in the resort's second floor banquet room.
We're planning a social hour beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. buffet.
Dinner prices are $12 for adults and $6 for children age 12 and younger.
Please phone in your reservations by Monday, August 7. The following members
will take your reservations: COOK: Barb Shook, 666-2222 or Vi Harris, 666-2300.
TOWER: Paula Bloczynski,7532107 or Shirley Korpela,753-3034.
After dinner the business meeting agenda will include a review of the past year's
club projects, featuring reports on NEW day-use picnic sites, this year's 17th
annual loon count and the recently begun lake assessment program for Vermilion.
Election of board members is also part of the agenda, and this year we will be
electing members to fill the 3-year board positions currently held by Barb Shook,
Willis Irons, Pat Borgstrom and Rick Pearson. Barb, Willis and Pat will be seeking
re-election. We will also be electing a director to serve the remaining two years
of Jack Sparks' board term. Jack has decided to retire from active board status,
but will remain as an advisory member of the board. The nominating committee will
present candidates for the board positions of Rick Pearson and Jack Sparks, and
nominations from the floor will also be accepted.
The club's annual dinner meeting is always casual come as you are in vacation
attire - and we'll plan to wrap up the evening in timely fashion so that our
boat-access folks have plenty of daylight for their trip home.
This is our one big gathering of the year and a good opportunity for members to
bring up matters of personal concern regarding club business or problems around
the lake.
We hope to see you on Friday, August 11. Please mark your calendar, phone in your
reservation and plan to join us at Fortune Bay Resort for the Sportsmen's Club
32nd annual meeting.
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The 2000 Loon-Count Results
Taken 7-19-00
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West End
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East End
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Singles ... 38
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Singles ... 110
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Pairs ....... 17
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Pairs ........ 24
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Chicks ..... 8
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Chicks ...... 18
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Total Count
148 Singles
41 Pairs
26 Chicks
256 Loons
(Last year's total: 260)
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Leave wildlife alone
Each spring and well into the summer, State Conservation Officers receive calls from
people concerned about providing proper care for what they believe is orphaned
newborn or juvenile wildlife.
While attempts to "rescue" young wildlife are made with the best intentions,
in most cases the efforts are counterproductive to the best interests of the
animals involved.
In many cases the young wildlife is not orphaned at all. This is especially
true with white-tailed deer fawns and many other mammals as well. Whitetail
does typically leave young fawns unattended for long periods of time.
If you discover a young wild mammal or bird, don't handle it. Keep children
and pets from disturbing the location. Staying away from the site will prevent
stress on the young creature and increase the chances that the adult will
return to care for its young.
Unfortunately, some people take young birds and animals out of their natural,
wild setting. Not only is this an unwise practice, but most of us don't have
the expertise or facilities to care for and raise wildlife.
State Conservation Officers offer the best advice for dealing with young
wildlife: "If you careleave it there."
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On Artificial Nesting Islands for Loons
by Mardy Jackson
This subject runs much more deeply than just building these so called rafts and setting
them out in the water. The North American Loon Preservation Organization emphasizes in
bold print, "THESE SHOULD ONLY BE USED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A BIOLOGIST -
OTHERWISE THEY CAN ACTUALLY HARM THE LOON."
These rafts should be regarded as a biological tool - just that - a biological
management tool. Its application has been most successfully used where bodies of
water are prone to flooding, or where hydro-electric plants change the water levels,
or where a breeding pair's attempt has failed due to intensive shoreline predation.
And in these cases there must be a suitable site for the raft in the pair's territory,
in water of feasible depth, and out of the wind and boating lanes.
The artificial islands DO NOTATTRACT LOONS, they only offer alternative nesting
sites to established loon pairs, but do not attract new pairs. Some loon pairs just
won't use them. Loons are very territorial. Unless a bay is a very large one, you'll
only find one pair to a bay. Everyone living on a lake is familiar with the loon's
yodel call - heard it many times. Only the male loon can make this call, and its
meaning to another intruding loon is, "go on...git...you are coming into my
territory...it's already taken." And by the way, they return year after year
to their same territory.
One can see the folly of placing a raft in a location before studying the area
for a couple of years to make sure it is not an "occupied" spot.
A raft can prove to be a liability, according to Jeff Fair, director of the Loon
Preservation Committee. It can function as a loon "trap" if not situated
properly. Take for example: A well-built raft, nicely sodded, and solidly
anchored in a shallow cove early in May. It attracts the resident loon pair
from their natural...and formerly successful site. Eggs are laid and all is
hopeful, until Memorial Day when along come a few fishermen to their favorite
fishing spot. The nest is then abandoned or even temporarily left for the eggs
to cool off, or a waiting predator seizes the opportunity to raid the nest.
Another scenario is the raft breaks anchor in a windstorm and is washed up on
shore. These pairs might have had a better chance at their natural nesting sites.
Loons naturally and intuitively will select the best sites they can find, sheltered
from the prevailing winds and wave action.
Lake Vermilion is a great lake for natural nesting sites, with its uneven shoreline
and its 365 islands. Our population of the last seven years has increased to an
average of 258 loons on the lake, which includes an increase of chicks also with
an average for the last seven years of 37. It's hard telling when a lake has reached
its population saturation point. Our highest count ever was in 1993 at 331....it would
seem our population is a healthy one at this time.
All of the above is not intended to dampen the enthusiasm, but merely to emphasize
the importance of considering the rafts as a management tool. Watch the area you're
considering to make sure some loon hasn't hung a "no vacancy" sign up. But most
importantly, don't just put one out willy-nilly. These rafts should be used under
the supervision of a biologist, so be sure to work with a person from the Department
of Natural Resources. You wouldn't want to be responsible for bringing harm to
our precious loons.
Here are the instructions for constructing an artificial nesting island.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
- 4 or 5 - 6'x8" cedar posts with bark off (untreated) per island
- 1 - 5'x5' piece of plastic snow fencing or heavy turkey mesh wire fencing
(galvanized l'x2" mesh, k2-1/2 ga.)
- 16-20 8" galvanized spikes
- 2 8x8x16 cement building blocks
- heavy duty 1-1/2" fence staples (galvanized)
- 4 cable clamps
- 40' 3/16" plastic coated wire cable anchor lines
- 2 - 2' lengths garden hose
TOOLS NEEDED:
- chain saw, bucksaw or power skillsaw
- hatchet, adze, or ax
- carpenter's hammer
- wire cutters
- adjustable wrench
ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION:
- Notch cedar posts Lincoln log-style and spike together to make four-log frame. (Add a fifth log across the center for extra buoyancy and rigidity if logs are less than 8" diameter.
- Stapie fencing about every 4" to the bottoms of the logs, wrapping it up halfway up the sides from underneath.
- Secure mesh all the way around the sides making sure that there are no protrusions or "wild" wire ends which might injure a bird.
- Attach anchor lines one each to opposite corners (allow enough scope for water depth, usually about 20' overall length) using one clamp on each line.
- Attach one cement block to each line using the two other clamps, running line through garden hose where it contacts cement block.
LAUNCHING AND PLACEMENT OF THE ISLAND:
- Place it in the water with the mesh side underslung.
- Build up a heavy layer of sod, decayed wood or duff (for the roots of plants to take hold in).
- Then plant with indigenous vegetationabout two bushelsincluding ferns of all kinds, grasses, sedge mat, mosses, sheep laurel, blue flag iris, cattails, bullrush and other emergent vegetation.
- Intersperse with at least two bushels of wet-land type debris for nest building.
- If needed, provide a "natural" barrier to windward to prevent waves from washing over nest (spray is okay, but heavy wash will drive the bird and the nest away).
- Excess loose material provided will enable the bird to add to its nest from time to time as compaction occurs.
BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVERLOAD THE ISLAND CAUSING IT TO FLOAT TOO FAR DOWN IN THE WATER!
THEN: as soon after ice out as possible:
- Firmly anchor the island in water at least 4-6 feet deep.
- 30 - 50 yards from shore
- in a spot protected from prevailing winds and wave
action
- with a 45 degree angle to anchor lines (note they are slackened to allow for fluctuations in water levels).
PROTECTION
The largest predator problem with these floating artificial nests is human beings.
Curiosity seems to be innate in all of us. People boating or swimming near these
occupied nests - well, as far as the loons are concerned, "that's all she wrote."
So educational posters should be put up at all public places around the lake, marinas,
launch sites, resorts, town halls, supermarkets, and in any other obvious places.
Floating warning signs should be moored near approaches to the floating islands.
As you can see from all of the above, building a floating island nest is a large
job with many ramifications to our loons, so before you launch into this endeaver,
please consult with a biologist, preferably at a local Department of Natural
Resources office, who knows the area and the lake.
Most of this information comes from the Loon Preservation Committee in Meredith,
New Hampshire, and The North American Loon Fund, also in New Hampshire.
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Lake Vermilion Water plants make the lake!
During the spring and summer, people spend time at cabins, enjoy lake activities,
and fix up lake property. They watch lakes change and many help lakes remain
productive homes for plants, animals, insects, and fish. Unfortunately, some of
the fix up and lakeshore changes that lake dwellers make can harm habitat and
damage the lake. Removal of lake plants is one example.
Aquatic plants are a natural part of lakes. And, while many lake dwellers want
to remove these water plants they cail weeds, there are good reasons to keep
them intact. Aquatic plants provide food, nesting sites, and cover for a variety
of animals and fish.
This series of three articles wili outline the importance of water plants, what
lakeshore owners can do to help preserve habitat, and what lakeshore and aquatic
activities are allowable.
Benefits of aquatic plants
Many aquatic plants are a food source - seeds and tubers - for waterfowl. Others
support insects and other invertebrates that become food for wildlife. Emergent
vegetation furnishes nesting cover for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and
songbirds. Mammals, such as mink and muskrats, also use aquatic vegetation for
food and cover.
Minnesota's most sought after fish species depend on aquatic vegetation throughout
their lives. Yellow perch, northern pike, muskellunge, panfish, and bass all need
aquatic vegetation for food, spawning, and nurseries. Juvenile fish feed on the small
crustaceans and insects that live in stands of aquatic plants.
Beyond food and shelter, aquatic vegetation provide many other benefits. They:
- Are one of several sources of oxygen essential for aquatic animals to survive.
- Help maintain water quality.
- Stabilize bottom sediments, keeping the water clear.
- Act as a filter by using up the same nutrients which cause algae blooms. Removing
aquatic plants makes more nutrients available for algae. Algae blooms, the greenscum
on the water surface, make swimming and water sports less appealing.
- Limit erosion of shoreline, moderating the effects of waves. Emergent vegetation,
such as bulrush, is particularly effective in preventing erosion and once removed
is very difficult to reestablish.
- Are also part of the visual character and natural beauty of lakes. Many people
buy lakeshore property to enjoy the natural scenery, view wildlife, and catch fish.
Changes to shoreland and removal of aquatic plants threaten that beauty.
Cumulative impacts
Alterations to the shoreline and near shore area of lakes can harm essential
links between water and land habitats. Typical shoreline alterations include
upland clearing, cutting trees and shrubs, converting native grasses to lawn,
removing large dead snags and downed logs, making sand blankets, and removing
aquatic plants.
Most of these activities don't seem that harmful by themselves. But, as our
lakes become more developed and more people change the shoreline, collectively,
they can negatively impact the lake.
Cumulative impacts are those which may seem individually minor, but they are
collectively harmful and the consequences increase over time, often leading
to declines in fish and wildlife populations.
How lake dwellers can help? Lakeshore landowners can minimize the effects of
human disturbance and help provide fish and wildlife habitat. Suggested strategies:
- Leave things as natural as possible.
- Don't turn all of your property into a manicured lawn.
- Use phosphorus-free fertilizer (if any).
- Leave a buffer strip of native vegetation in the water and on land. A buffer
zone may extend 25 to 100 or more feet from the water's edge onto the land and
25 to 50 feet into the lake. With a buffer zone, the shoreline regains its value
and associated benefits for fish, wildlife, and water quality. The buffer zone
filters nutrients and sediments before they reach the water, avoiding excess
algae and plant growth.
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Aquatic plants know what you can and cannot remove?
Aquatic plants belong in Minnesota lakes. They are extremely important habitat for fish,
wildlife and aquatic life. But, unfortunately this habitat is disappearing as natural
shoreline rapidly disappears and lakeshore development increases.
If aquatic plants interfere with your ability to boat, fish, or swim, make sure you
understand the rules before you decide to make changes. The Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources reminds lakeshore property owners that a permit may be required to
remove aquatic plants. If you want to remove some aquatic plants for access to the
lake, only remove plants from a small area that will allow you to boat, swim, or
fish from your dock. Boat activity will keep the plants from growing to the surface,
so use the same route to and from your dock and plant removal may not be necessary.
Aquatic plant regulations:
The following is a short review of aquatic plant regulations.
A permit is not required to cut or pull submerged vegetation, like coontail, under the following conditions:
- The cleared area does not extend more than 50 feet along shore, or more than one half your frontage width, whichever is less; and the area does not exceed 2,500 square feet in size;
- All vegetation that is cut or pulled must be removed from the water; and the cleared area remains in the same location year to year.
- Water lilies and other floating leaf vegetation, may be cut or pulled to create a channel 15 feet wide extending to open water provided the channel is located in the same location every year. More extensive removal will require a permit.
A permit is always required when:
- Using herbicides to control aquatic plants;
- Using a pesticide to control snails which carry swimmers' itch;
- Using an algacide to control algae;
- Removing emergent vegetation, like bulrush, cattails or wild rice;
- Removing floating leaf vegetation (water lilies) in an area larger than a channel
15 feet wide extending to open-water; or
- Removing more than 2,500 square feet of submerged vegetation; or
- Removing or relocating floating bog; or
- Using an automatic aquatic plant control device. The cost of an individual aquatic
plant management permit from the DNR is $20. In most cases permits must be obtained annually.
Improving aquatic habitat on your lakeshore
Many lakeshore owners are becoming more interested in aquascaping. This includes
a variely of activities intended to make shorelines more natural by protecting
and re-establishing aquatic plants. If you are interested in planting aquatic
plants on your shoreline, you will need a permit from the DNR to transplant
aquatic vegetation below the ordinary high water mark on public waters. There
is no charge for this permit.
The DNR strongly supports protection and restoration of shoreline, but projects
must be carefully planned so they do not cause more harm than good. Projects
should minimize disturbance to existing native vegetation, maintain the genetic
integrity of existing plant species, and prevent introduction of harmful exotic
plants. Just because a plant is offered for sale, doesn't mean it's safe to
plant it in the lake.
If you are unsure whether you need a permit, or would like additional information,
please call your Area or Regional Fisheries Office.
For more information cail the DNR at 1-888-MINNDNR.
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DNR to increase enforcement, monitoring of lake alterations in Duluth, Grand Rapids, Virginia areas
Below the surface of Minnesota lakes exists a thriving aquatic ecosystem few of
us stop to think about. Similar to our more familiar terrestrial world, the
underwater environment supports fish, aquatic plants, wildlife, and humans. All
are interrelated and dependent upon each other,
A critical part of this delicate system is the near-shore aquatic zone which
includes bulrush, cane, lily pad, and aquatic plant stands beneath the surface.
In Northeastern Minnesota, overthe last several years, Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers and other employees have
recorded and documented where critical near-shore habitat exist.
The department is targeting several lakes in the Duluth, Virginia and Grand
Rapids areas as part of an intensified effort to maintain and monitor near-shore
habitats. Lake associations and resort associations are assisting with this effort.
According to Captain Craig Backer, DNR enforcement, "We have the technology
to catalog what exists in nearshore aquatic vegetation, lake bottom substrates,
and other critical habitat. And, what we have found, is that the Duluth,
Grand Rapids, and Virginia areas are at higher risk and most subject to loss
associated with development. That is why we are increasing enforcement and
monitoring in these areas."
Backer said the DNR has selected four to five lakes in each of these areas, and
will watch them closely with the help of concerned citizens and participating
lakeshore owners. "We are hoping to stop the loss of these critical near-shore
areas, and prevent illegal removal of aquatic vegetation," he said.
Lakes that DNR has targeted for increased monitoring are: (Grand Rapids area)
Pokegama, Loon, Twin, Sand, Jessie; (Virginia area) Murphy, Pleasant, Vermilion,
Pelican, Elliot; and (Duluth area) Caribou, Leora, Nichols, Pike, Chub.
Certain activities are allowed in near-shore areas. Some activities require
permits from the DNR. Others do not. Lakeshore owners are encouraged to call
their local DNR office for information on regulations and permitting.
Limited removal of aquatic vegetation is allowed by the DNR. However, sheer
volumes and cumulative impacts in recent years necessitates closer monitoring
and elimination of illegal aquatic plant removal. Areas with large removal of
native species are more susceptible to invasion by exotic and unwanted plant species.
Violation of DNR aquatic plant management statutes or rules can result in
costly fines and even more costly court-ordered restoration of affected areas.
"Our lakes can no longer tolerate unnecessary loss of plant life critical to
their health. They deserve our help. And, many lakeshore owners are voluntarily
working to preserve and restore near shore areas to their pristine condition," Backer said.
To report suspected illegal aquatic vegetation removal or destruction, call your
local DNR office. Local offices in the Grand Rapids, Duluth and Virginia areas are:
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NE Minnesota Regional office: 218-327-4455
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Grand Rapids Enforcement: 218-327-4424
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Grand Rapids Fisheries: 218-327-4430
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Grand Rapids Waters: 218-327-4416
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Duluth Enforcement: 218-879-0899
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Duluth Fisheries: 218-723-4785
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Duluth Waters: 218-834-6620
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Virginia Enforcement: 218-744-7446
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Virginia (Ely) Fisheries: 218-365-7280
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Virginia Waters: 218-744-7450
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Feeding bears is dangerous for people and for bears
Bears are quick learners according to State Conservation Officer Scott Staples of
Moose Lake. "When people who live in bear country feed bears they are essentially
teaching bears to come to houses to eat," Staples says. While most of the feeding is
unintentional, some may be deliberate. "Either way, feeding bears endangers both the
people and the bears."
Spring and early summer is a great time for residents who live close to bear habitat
to check around their homes and outbuildings to put away any grain, dog food, birdseed
or hummingbird feeders, compost or open garbage receptacles that could attract bears.
"It's so easy for bears to get needed calories from human-related food sources that
they stop seeking their natural foods," Staples says. "These bears eventually get
into trouble because they return again and again to populated areas."
These "food-conditioned" bears often end up dead bears. When the bear is reported,
it may be removed and relocated. Bears that are relocated and return repeatedly
may be euthanized because they are so bold around humans at that point they become
a threat to public safety.
According to Staples, many bears can be spared this fate if landowners "bear-proof"
their homes and outbuildings by removing or securing attractants like livestock
feed (3-way, horse cake, pellets), pet food, bird feeders (suet, sunflower seeds,
millet, corn, hummingbird feeders) and garbage, and avoid feeding wildlife.
"Wherever bears are located in the state, we need to make a real effort to prevent
them from learning bad behaviors," Staples says. "People who live and work in bear
country are the key to our success. Together, by securing attractants, we can save
a lot of time and resources answering bear nuisance complaints and in the end
we'll save a lot of bears' lives."
Any home next to Minnesota's forests or wild lands may be within bear country.
Bears also may occasionally wander into towns and neighborhoods searching for
food. Anything people or their pets eat will attract bears. Bears learn quickly
where to find these sources of food and make a habit of returning. People who
live in or near bear habitat can prevent good bears from learning bad-bear
behavior by eliminating bear attractants. Here are some tips.
Around the Yard:
- Secure feed in heavy duty storage containers. Rubber or plastic containers are not bear-proof.
- Food from barbeques and picnics should not be left outdoors unattended, especially overnight. Coolers are not bear-proof.
- Replace hummingbird feeders with hanging flower baskets, also attractive to hummingbirds.
- Birdfeeders attract bears. Eliminate them or hang them 10 feet up and 4 feet out from the nearest trees. Use a rope and pulley system to refill them and clean up seeds that spill onto the ground. Birdfeeders should be taken down between April 1 and Dec. 1.
- Pet food should be stored inside and pets fed inside. If you must feed pets outdoors, feed only as much as they will eat. Avoid leaving pet-food dishes full of food, and pick up dog bones with meat on them from the backyard and kennel.
- Barbecue grills should be cleaned and stored after each use in a secure shed or garage away from windows and doors.
- Fruit should be picked from trees when ripe and fallen fruit immediately collected. Do not allow fruit to rot on the ground.
- Compost piles should be limited to grass, leaves, and garden clippings, and turn piles regularly. Adding lime can reduce smells and help decomposition. Do not add food scraps. Kitchen scraps can be composted indoors in a worm box with minimum odor and the finished compost can later be added to garden soil.
- Gardens should be harvested immediately as vegetables, fruits, and herbs mature. Locate gardens away from forests and shrubs that bears may use for cover.
- Landscaping, especially clover and dandelions will attract bears. Use native plant landscaping whenever possible, and do not seed in clover.
- Beehives, honey, and bee larvae are especially attractive to bears. If you keep hives, elevate them on bear-proof platforms or erect properly designed electric fences.
- Do not put out feed for wildlife (corn, oats, pellets, three-way, molasses blocks).
Garbage:
- Store garbage in bear-resistant garbage cans or dumpsters. Rubber or plastic garbage cans are not bearproof.
- Keep garbage inside secure building until the morning of pickup.
- Store empty recyclable containers, such as pop cans, indoors-the sweet smells attract bears. Decrease odors by storing garbage in tightly tied, heavy-duty bags, and garbage cans with tight lids.
- Remove garbage regularly.
- Store especially smelly garbage, such as meat or fish scraps, in a freezer until they can be taken to a refuse site.
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Management of on-site sewage treatment systems
KEN OLSON
EXTENSION EDUCATOR - ON-SITE SEWAGE TREATMENT
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION SERVICE
The goal of on-site sewage treatment is to protect human health and the environment
by safely recycling wastewater back into the natural environment in a cost-effective
manner. Effective on-site treatment of wastewater is dependent on proper design,
installation, operation and maintenance of the system. A well-designed system will
not properly treat sewage over its intended life without appropriate operation and
timely maintenance. Good management of an onsite system will improve the performance
and extend the life of the system resulting in reduced total cost to the owner with
increased reliability and satisfaction.
Management = operation + maintenance + monitoring
One of the hottest topics in on-site sewage treatment today is the management of systems.
Once a well-designed system - including provisions for management - has been properly installed (the responsibility of the designer, installer and inspector) it must be used, watched and taken care of to meet its owner's expectations. This is no different than any other piece of equipment we own.
"Standard" systems have been designed to require minimal management. Existing codes and rules have paid minimal attention to management and few if any enforcement agencies have provided significant encouragement for owners to follow good management practices. This lack of attention to good management has often proved costly to homeowners and the environment. We must now make a concerted effort to increase our attention to management of all systems - standard and "alternative."
What is operation?
"Operation" is the day-to-day use of the system by the residents. The "users" of the system control the quality, quantity and pattern of the wastewater entering the system. The performance of septic systems is greatly influenced by what enters it!
"Using" water does not mean it goes away forever, but rather means that we are changing it from "clean water" to "dirty water" by adding human wastes, food particles, cleaners, soil, lint and other materials.These additions contain pathogens, organic and inorganic solids, nutrients and chemicals. We are counting on the system to clean it again for reuse later. Users determine the quantity of water used by the number of gallons per flush of the toilet, the length of showers, the number of loads of clothes washed, faucets running while brushing teeth or washing dishes, as well as the frequency of doing each of these things, and all other water use practices.
What is maintenance?
"Maintenance" is the work of doing periodic upkeep on the system. It includes the repair, replacement, and cleaning of existing components. It can also be thc addition of new components to enhance performance.
Examples of maintenance are: the repair of leaking fixtures and appliances, the replacement of septic tank baffles or weak pumps, the cleaning of effluent screens or lint filters, the removal of solids from a septic tank or composting toilet, or the addition of an effluent screen to the outlet baffle.
What is monitoring?
The monitoring of a system is the observation or testing of all on-site system components.
It could even mean the testing of effluent or contents. An important aspect of monitoring
is to know what needs to be watched, when it should be done and who is going to do it - a plan.
The results of monitoring should be recorded and the information used by those doing "operation" and "maintenance." The use of the information is what makes it valuable.
Examples of monitoring may include: knowng what goes down the drain; reading and recording the results of a flow meter; checking baffles, screens, pumps and alarms for proper function; noting wet spots near the drainfield or mound; recording the date and condition of the septic tank when it is pumped; or sampling and testing effluent from a performance system and reporting the information to a local agency as required.
Management of "alternative treatment systems"
Specific operation, maintenance and monitoring procedures should be planned and followed to provide good management of all systems. "Alternative" treatment systems (i.e. sand/peat filters, constructed wetlands, aerobic tanks, composting units, etc.) typically involve special mechanical components, living plants, or other devices, which require special knowledge, skill and attention to perform as designed.
Owners may wish to, or be required to, hire professional management of an "alternative" system. The complexity and costs of management must be an important criteria considered in the initial selection of an "alternative" system.
Who, when, how?
Total management of a system must involve the residents generating the sewage with varying
levels of assistance from professionals. The individual owner will likely determine management
responsibilities of a single household system. Traditional trench and mound systems requiring
relatively simple management are typically managed by the owner using licensed pumpers
and other professionals as needed. Home owners are capable of handling typical management
tasks if they are aware of what needs to be done and make a commitment to it. Owners of
complex systems or those unwilling to make the commitment may feel the necessity or be
required to hire outside professional management. More opportunities to "contract
out" some steps will likely be available in the future.
Multiple-household systems have another dimension to management-other users. Each homeowner
is responsible for the content and quantity of the wastewater generated and must rely on co-users to be equally careful. All users collectively are responsible to each other and or the management of the commonly used portions of the system. Common components could include large "community" septic tanks, pre-treatment units or the soil treatment/dispersal system (i.e. trench, mound, wetland, drip lines, etc.).
A good management plan wili specify "who will do what" and "when and how" they will do it. Each system is unique. The plan must be for the specific system and must be followed to be effective. In some multi-household systems, residents can do some management tasks, such as reading water meters, but most functions will require additional equipment, skill and commitment.
The amount and cost of management will vary considerably with the size, type and complexity of the treatment system. Owners must be willing to pay for the necessary management to achieve effectiveness and efficiency of their investment.
The bottom line is that a responsible person or entity - resident, business or private/public organization, must be designated to know and carry out the specific management practices required for successful treatment of wastewater in any system including on-site systems.
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Delectable But Nasty
Minnesota Lakes Assocation Reporter
July/August 2000
Minnesota has discovered a delectable Louisiana tradition-the rusty crayfish. However,
this exotic invader to Minnesota, a native species in the Ohio River Valley, is not only
delectable, but it can ruin fish and wildlife habitat, and once it gains a foothold,
there is no safe way to eradicate them.
Rusty crayfish are thought to have spread to Minnesota as live bait used by non-resident
anglers, by commercial harvesters, releases by students or teachers after studying crayfish
purchased from a biological supply house, or through ballast water discharges.
"Rusty crayfish can quickly reach high densities; they can displace native crayfish
and clear-cut aquatic plant beds because of their high metabolic rate and appetite.
Because of their aggressive behavior, they have less predation from game fish than
native crayfish, and they are known to chase fish from nests, then eat their
eggs," said Doug Jensen, University of Minnesota Sea Grant Exotic Species
Information Center coordinator.
Distribution
Rusty crayfish were first observed in 1967 at Otter Creek in southern Minnesota. A statewide
study (Helgen 1990) reported their presence in many areas, and so far they have been
found in 13 counties and 47 different lakes, rivers, and streams in Minnesota,
including St. Louis Bay and the Pigeon River on Lake Superior. They have rapidly
expanded throughout Wisconsin lakes and streams since their introduction there around
1960 and are also found in parts of Michigan, lowa, Missouri, every New England state,
New York, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and in southern Ontario, Canada.
Accordng to Gary Montz aquatic invertebrate biologist with the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), "While Minnesota has not, as of yet, seen documenttation
of an extensive problem with this exotic, Lake Vermilon has a large population of rusty
crayfish which are causing some problems. Long Lake, in Chippewa County Wisconsin,
where there are high populations of rusty crayfish, has reported problems such as
loss of aquatic vegetation and annoyance to swimmers and waders from pinching of toes
by the crayfish." Displacement of native crayfish has occurred in many northern
Wisconsin lakes and Ontario lakes.
No safe control
There is no environmentally safe control method for rusty crayfish. "Any pesticides
that might kill these animals would kill large numbers of other aquatic life as well,
with no guarantee that all of the rusty crayfish would be eliminated," said Montz.
"Trapping is not effective even when done professionally on an intensive scale.
Enhancement of certain predator fish species may help; however, once the rusty crayfish
has become established, there is not any method right now to eliminate them."
Harvest of rusty crayfish for food and bait may provide the only beneficial use for
this exotic. Bait harvest has been going on for over 30 years in Wisconsin. Commercial
harvest for food is more recent and varies from year to year in both Wisconsin and
Minnesota. Regulations in both Minnesota and Wisconsin now make it illegal to introduce
rusty crayfsh into any waters. In Minnesota, it is illegal to sell live crayfish as
bait orfor aquarium use, and a Department of Natural Resources permit is required to
commercially harvest or culture crayfish. Live crayfish taken from a waterbody can only
be used as live bait in that some waterbody, according to Minnesota regulations. The
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources allows crayfish to be used as live bait only
in the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes.
Education is the key to control
Jensen believes the best way to prevent or slow the spread of rusty crayfish into new
waters is through education. He urges everyone not to transport or release crayfish.
Boaters should avoid transporting aquatic plants, drain waterfrom boats and motors, and
discard unwanted bait on land. Educating anglers, crayfish trappers, bait dealers, and
teachers about the threats posed by rusty crayfish will help reduce the risk of spreading
rusty crayfish.
For more information on rusty crayfsh see http:// www.d.umn.edu/seagr/areas/aqua/rusty.html.
Contact Doug Jensen at 218-726-8712 or djensen1@d.umn.edu or Gary Montz at 651-297-4888 or
gary.montz@dnr.state.mn.us.
Identifying Rusty Crayfish
Identifying rusty crayfish can be very difficult and requires looking at a number of
characteristics and having enough experience to interpret them. In general, rusty crayfish
are larger than native crayfish and have large claws. They have a gap between their
black-tipped claws. The main distinguishing characteristic is the rusty-colored spots
on the carapace. They look as though they have been picked up with rust-colored paint
on your forefinger and thumb, while native crayfish have a dark brown to black patch
on the top of the abdomen "tail section". Rusty crayfish claws are
grayish-green to reddish-brown and smoother than native crayfish, which have claws
that are more blue and have distinct white, wart-like bumps. Contact your local
DNR fisheries office or Minnesota Sea Grant if positive identification is required.
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